Sharing Inspiring Self-Help Wisdom By Author, Marilyn Fowler

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stages of life

It’s a long journey through life, and as we move through various stages we may not realize that eachstage is a gift with its challenges, opportunities, lessons, and yes, blessings. Generally, we just move along and don’t much notice until something happens to jolt us into a realization that time passes fast and change takes place. And sometimes we don’t welcome the change.

Our culture is a youth-oriented world. As people age, we want to put them out to pasture, get them out of the way. Just try to find a pair of jeans that come in above your hips or a style you’d wear past the age of 50. And too many lonely people are in nursing homes. We all know nostalgia, and sometimes we want to go back. Ah, how I remember when my children were small. I rocked my babies, rode on the sled with them, got a gash in my son’s head sutured when he fell off his bike, ordered art lessons for my other son, and made my daughter’s prom dress–among thousands of other memories, some wonderful, and some not so wonderful.

“Learn to trust the journey, even when you do not understand it.” Unknown

You know what I mean. You have your memories too. Did you realize time was passing when you lived those years? I didn’t. I just took it all for granted–except the traumatic experiences. I just wanted out of those. Then one day I looked around and realized I had gone through several more life stages. I had aged, and I wondered where it all went…those precious memories, my clear skin, my flat tummy and my firm rear end. Wow. It must have happened when I wasn’t looking.“The journey between what you once were and who you are now becoming is where the dance of life takes place.” ~Barbara DeAngelis

I wanted to keep the happy times. Then I remembered the mistakes, and oh, how I wanted to go back and do those over. I thought about what I might have learned from them, and I was surprised at how much I had learned. But what about now? Was I learning now or drifting? I wasn’t sure. It kind of felt like drifting, so I made a commitment to be aware of my life in each stage, and face each day with trust in God and myself, with intention and hope for a more meaningful life. When I falter and need reminders, I’m sure they will present themselves.

So much is said about living in the present, but I think we don’t realize the full meaning of the word ‘living’, to live, to learn, to savor, to share, to be aware of self and others, and to know where we are on our journey and what we want to do with it. We have the power to create the quality of our life in spite of challenges. Did you know that? And you’re probably a lot smarter than you used to be, so you’re more able to create a better future.

“Don’t be pushed by your problems. Be led by your dreams.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Think about where you are now, and where you want to go. Hang on to those precious moments from the past, and let go of your mistakes. You did the best you could according to your growing ability at the time. Every stage in life is equally important with opportunities to learn and grow in new ways. You are not what you have or do. You are the beautiful being inside who is on a glorious journey to self-realization, and you can’t find that if you overlook your purpose or fret about where you need to go.
Life may not offer the same experiences it did in past stages, but don’t miss the great ones that are there for you now. There is a Divine purpose in all of it, and you are part of that Divine plan for yourself and humanity. Hang on and enjoy the ride.